Cycling routes in Chesterfield

New cycling route opens at Markham Vale

A new cycleway has been installed linking Markham Vale business park to Staveley, allowing people working at the site to choose a more sustainable commute.

The 1.37mile (2.2km) cycleway starts just off Markham Lane next to the Environment Centre and ends on the Seymour Link Road.

It was officially opened by Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Clean Growth and Regeneration, Councillor Tony King, who was joined by a group of enthusiastic cyclists who will be regularly using the trail.

Councillor King said: “Another feather in Markham Vale’s cap. This place is a real success story and a phenomenal transformation over just 2 decades.

“Attracting local, national and international business to Derbyshire it stays at the forefront of developing business and industry fit for the future.

“This cycleway is another indicator of our commitment to help deliver green initiatives. At Markham we will also have the Electric Forecourt that can charge 30 electric vehicles simultaneously and state of the art energy efficient new buildings in line with our Net Zero ambitions.”

Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Environment, Councillor Carolyn Renwick said: “Across the county we support many cycling opportunities for both business and leisure. This cycleway is a good example and helps our ambitions to provide more infrastructure for safe and sustainable ways to travel. I hope that it will encourage some of those working at Markham to travel by bike and provide new leisure cycling opportunities for our residents as well.”

The Markham cycleway has cost £750,000 from a funding package of £7 million that was provided by the government in 2023/2024 for local improvements in the East Midlands. The funding was via the East Midlands Combined County Authority Devolution Capital Fund.

Markham Vale is a 200-acre joint venture between the County Council and property developer HBD, part of Henry Boot. Situated off M1 junction 29a it centres around what was the mostly derelict Markham Colliery site. Over the last 20 years it has been transformed into a prime business location. This latest development adds to its attractions and boosts its ambitions to offer sustainable transport options to those working on the site and those cycling for leisure.

Find out more about locating your business in Chesterfield, a town set up to provide a great work/life balance for people living and working here.

 

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New walking and cycling route confirmed for Chesterfield

Derbyshire County Council has decided to go ahead with plans for a dedicated walking and cycling route for Chesterfield- which will run from the east side of the town, up to the Royal Hospital.

The decision means Crow Lane in Chesterfield will close permanently to vehicles, while a cycle lane will be built on Chatsworth Road. The current 30mph speed limit on Chatsworth Road will also be extended.

These decisions were taken by the County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Assets and Transport, Councillor Kewal Singh Athwal on 9 November and follow a public consultation.

Work will start on some sections of the route this autumn. Crow Lane will close permanently at some point in the new year, once work to create a cycle and walking route from the station to the start of the closed Crow Lane section has taken place.

The Government has awarded Derbyshire County Council £1.68 million to create the new route. It will go from the A619 junction with Holymoor Road, along Chatsworth Road and the existing Hipper Valley Trail, through Queen’s Park, past the train station and to the hospital and beyond by using Crow Lane and Wetlands Lane.

Councillor Kewal Singh Athwal said: “We have listened carefully to what people told us in the consultation and looked at all the alternatives given. “Creating this route across Chesterfield will give many more people the opportunity to get out of their cars, and either walk or cycle to get into town, or up to the hospital.

“We know that many hospital staff walked or cycled on Crow Lane at the height of the pandemic, and we would expect numbers to increase when the lane closes to vehicles again for good.”

In total 1,240 people responded to the consultation, which was widely publicised.

For the Crow Lane closure, 752 people supported this with 416 people objecting. 980 people supported the 30mph extension on Chatsworth Road, with 178 objections. For the cycle lane on Chatsworth Road 741 people supported this, with 430 objecting.

The council also received two petitions, one supporting the closure of Crow Lane, with 522 signatures, and one against the closure with 744 signatures.

In total, adding together the results of the consultation and the results of the petition, there were more people wanting Crow Lane to close permanently than not (738 for (51%), 638 against (44%) 72 abstaining (5%)).

Cycling in Queens Park - Get on your bike in Chesterfield

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